A young Greek woman, Marina Fanouraki, has become an overnight national hero in Crete, after setting fire to Stuart Feltham, a 20-year-old Briton who she claims tried to sexually assault her while drunk in a crowded bar in Malia.

Miss Fanouraki, 26, from the proud island of Crete then turned herself over to police and the courts to be put on trial for what she claimed was her "right to self-defence". She will face a magistrate today to see whether the case will go to trial on charges of causing bodily injuries and of endangering private property.

Mr Feltham, from Swindon, Wiltshire, is in a private clinic in Heraklion being treated for second degree burns. A small crowd of bystanders outside the Heraklion hospital applauded and shouted "bravo, bravo", as the Greek woman was rushed away under police escort.